A registered nurse who won second runner-up in the Miss Philippines Earth 2016 pageant in June has been named the new Miss Philippines Earth after the original titleholder gave up her crown last Monday.
Loren Mar Artajos, 25, of Laoag City will now assume the duties and responsibilities left behind by former Miss Philippines Earth winner Imelda Schweighart who figured in a controversy during the annual pageant.
The appointnent of Artajos was announced by Ramon Monzon, president of Carousel Productions, organizer of the annual environment-driven pageant, during a victory party for the winners of the Miss Earth 2016 contest.
In June, Artajos won Miss Philippines Water during the grand coronation of the prestigious local major pageant.
It was earlier reported by Kiara Giel Geronimo, who won 1st runner-up in the same contest (Miss Philippines Air) will be appointed Miss Philippines Earth.
Reports said that Geronimo who is now based in London might lose her scholarship if she will pursue Miss Philippines Earth.
This is the first time that a titleholder was replaced in the 16-year history of the Miss Earth contest.
Artajos said that she wants to be an advocate of the environment, spread awareness of the current climate change issue the world is facing today and implement measures to mitigate global warming.
She will work closely with newly crowned Miss Earth Katherine Espin of Ecuador.
Earlier this year, Artajos screened for Binibining Pilipinas and made it as one the 40 official candidates. However, she and four other girls were later removed from the roster due to height requirements.
Artajos is the first Ilocana Miss Philippines Earth and also the first Miss Philippines Earth titleholder from the Aces and Queens beauty camp headed by Jonas Gaffud, the same group who trained reigning Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, Miss World 2013 Megan Lynne Young and 2016 Miss International Kylie Versoza.